Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for TBI, an increased rating for muscle tension and posttraumatic headaches, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records since the last decision. The RO must consider these new records in their review.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 1, 2012.,Service connection for migraines has been granted with a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's income exceeded the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) as of January 1, 2014 and his non-service-connected pension benefits were terminated.

The Board has granted service connection for memory loss and headaches as residuals of a traumatic brain injury sustained in service, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been granted at the maximum schedular rating of 50%. The issue of entitlement to compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for reactive arthritis is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, and he receives a 10 percent rating for his allergic rhinitis starting from July 28, 2016. His migraines are rated at 10 percent prior to July 20, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent mixed headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The low back disability, left eye disability, right knee disability, and hypothyroidism do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection is remanded for claims related to a right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome), neck disorder, right shoulder disorder (secondary to recurrent mixed headaches), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension were granted service connection. The left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, sleep disability, cephalgia tension headaches (claimed as migraines), and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not granted service connection.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, headache disability, and anxiety disorder are all granted. The claim for an increased evaluation of the Veteran's anxiety disorder is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of a left leg fracture, and a 3rd degree burn of the right ankle. Service connection was granted for neurological problems, to include headaches.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder was not established as there is no evidence showing it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there are no objective indications of a chronic disability manifested by fatigue. The Veteran's headaches are granted secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,An effective date prior to November 5, 2013, for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board previously denied service connection for headaches, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims set aside this decision and remanded the claim due to an inadequate March 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 10, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an initial compensable rating prior to March 29, 2013, for headaches before the decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a review of his headaches disability rating. The current rating does not reflect the severity and frequency of his migraine and tension headaches, which have increased in recent years.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The Board found that his headaches meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating based on their frequency and severity.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, headache disability, hypertension, and a left ankle disorder (secondary to right ankle injury).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for headaches, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depressive disorder) require further examination and opinion to determine their etiology and service connection.